Optimism that the goal of convening an enlarged meeting on the Cyprus issue that will lead to the announcement of the resumption of talks will be achieved, expressed today the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulidis.
In his statements to journalists, leaving the Presidential Palace, to go to an event, after his meeting with personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General Ms. Holginand when asked what they discussed during their meeting, the President of the Republic said that “we continued the very interesting discussion. I repeat that I am optimistic that we will achieve his goal of convening an enlarged meeting, which will result in the resumption of talks.
This great effort continues. Mrs. Holgin will return to Cyprus, after having meetings in Turkey, Greece, Brussels.
Let me remind you that yesterday I also had a very good discussion with the President of the European Council, about Cypriot and the role of the European Union in this new effort, but also for the more general goal of resolving the Cyprus issue.
Next week I will be in Brussels, I will have meetings again with Mr. Costa and the President of the European Commission and we are working towards a single goal, the convening of an enlarged conference, during which the resumption of talks will be announced.”
Asked if specific dates will be announced for the extended meeting during Ms. Holguin’s next tour to Cyprus, the President of the Republic said that “the most important thing is not the dates. There is a time frame that has been heard, moreover, around the end of July, beginning of August. We focus more on the bottom line. We did not discuss specific dates with Ms. Holgin, we are discussing the substance.”
Asked if he is worried about the fact that Turkey in recent dayss escalates her rhetoric and therefore it may have changed its attitude since March, when it was positive towards the UN Secretary General, the President of the Republic said “I completely understand your question, it is completely normal, and it is something we discussed. It is something that Ms. Holgin will discuss on Monday when she will be in Turkey.”
When asked if, based on this rhetoric from Turkey recently, the goal of restarting the talks from where they left off in Crans Montana still exists, the President of the Republic said “of course. This is the goal, the safeguarding of the negotiated acquis. And at the end of the day, I repeat, we will all be judged by the result.
The Secretary General started an effort – I have said it many times, but it is important and that is why I repeat it, it is related to your question – in March, after the meeting with the Turkish President. This meeting took place. We met in Brussels and this effort started from then. If this effort does not bear fruit, someone will have to be held responsible. But I’m not going to that. I will not engage in, nor want nor hope for such a blame game to arise. From what we are discussing, I am optimistic that we can reach the goal of the enlarged conference, during which the resumption of talks will be announced.”
Asked when the National Council will be convened, the President of the Republic said that “the National Council has been convened, after my return from Brussels, for Monday, the 22nd of the month.’
Asked to say whether there will be representation in the National Council from the new parliamentary parties Alma and Direct Democracy, the President of the Republic said that “all party leaders have been invited who are represented in the House of Representatives, but at the same time I will also inform the leaders of the parties who are not in the House of Representatives and were previously in the National Council.
We are at a critical juncture, I want us to act collectively. I hope that this goal of the collective will be achieved and I do not think that anyone is against the resumption of talks on the basis of the agreed framework, apart from some parties that have clear positions in relation to the intended goal.
I want to welcome – it was a goal we set from the beginning – this increased involvement on the part of the European Union and I hope we continue in the same pattern. The next few days, the next weeks until Ms. Holgin’s return to Cyprus are crucial.”
